UNBEATEN Josh Padley is set to be parachuted in to fight Shakur Stevenson this weekend.
The Sky Sports report comes after Floyd Schofield pulled out of this weekend’s world title fight after being deemed “too ill” to challenge Stevenson for the WBC lightweight belt.
Padley, 29, has a record of 15 wins including a stunning upset over Mark Chamberlain in his last fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois in September.
The move came after a rumour spread on social media that Schofield had been “poisoned” before he failed to show up among the arrivals on Tuesday night.
Leaked messages, reportedly from Schofield’s dad, Floyd Sr, accused unnamed people of poisoning his son.
A text sent to Schofield Sr was leaked online, reading: “This isn’t something to take lightly Sr. I’m not trying to play no games.
“I got love for y’all and looking out, but they spiked your son”.
The 22-year-old had initially showed up to Saudi Arabia and did all the Monday media, but then vanished on Tuesday and no-showed for the grand arrivals.
The world title challenger was then withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Schofield and Stevenson were set to throw hands in a battle for the WBC World Lightweight Championship.
Stevenson is appearing on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol undisputed light-heavyweight card in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Fans all saying the same thing after subtle change to Anthony Joshua’s training” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6369003954112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]The fight card is stacked with big names.
Joshua Buatsi faces fellow Brit Callum Smith, while Zhilei Zhang collides with Agit Kabayel in a heavyweight showdown.